Lynch counting on Brockton voters

With the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate just days away, U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch stopped in Brockton to rally voters in a city he has represented since 2001

Alex Bloom

With the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate just days away, U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch stopped in Brockton to rally voters in a city he has represented since 2001.

“Brockton is my base,” Lynch said. “People know me here best.”

Lynch, a Boston Democrat, greeted voters at George’s Cafe, where his picture is on a wall alongside boxing greats for his work in getting Brockton’s post office named after former heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano.

“It would be a good thing for Brockton if I were a U.S. senator,” Lynch said. “I know the issues here. I love the people here.”

Lynch and U.S. Rep. Ed Markey, D-Malden, have been campaigning for the Democratic Party nomination to replace John Kerry, who became U.S. secretary of state in January. The primary is set for Tuesday.

Lynch, who has consistently trailed Markey during the three-month campaign, said he thinks his candidacy is gaining traction and pointed to an internal poll his campaign made public this week. The telephone poll of 1,374 likely Democratic primary voters had Markey leading Lynch by less than six points with 16.5 percent undecided.

“This is a very, very close race,” Lynch told the crowd of about 40 people gathered at the restaurant.

Markey’s press spokesman Andrew Zucker said the Malden Democrat is comfortable with how the race is going heading into Tuesday. A Western New England University Polling Institute conducted April 11-18 had Markey leading Lynch by 10 points among likely primary voters.

“Ed Markey’s record ... has made him the clear choice in this primary,” Zucker said. “Our robust grassroots field operation is a reflection of that.”

Lynch has the support of many of Brockton’s top politicians, including Mayor Linda Balzotti, state Sen. Thomas Kennedy, state Rep. Michael Brady, state Rep. Claire Cronin, and former Mayor John Yunits, who all attended Thursday’s rally.

“(Lynch) really has been a great congressman to the city,” Balzotti said.

She said the congressman is receptive to the needs of the city and has a strong dedication and work ethic for Brockton residents.

“He just has been a great partner,” Balzotti said. “Whenever we call on him, he’s always there.”

Brady said Lynch was key to stopping the federal government from closing the Brockton’s VA hospital. Brady added that Lynch, a former ironworker who obtained a law degree and ran for Congress, comes from the same blue-collar background as many in the City of Champions.

“He’s like one of us in Brockton,” Brady said of Lynch, who won 84 percent of the Brockton vote in his 2012 re-election.

Jim Walsh, 53, of Brockton, was holding a sign for Lynch on Belmont Street as the rally awaited the South Boston Democrat. Lynch nominated Walsh’s son Stephen for acceptance to the Naval Academy and Walsh said he wanted to help Lynch.

Lynch, Walsh said, grew up in the same housing project as Walsh’s father, James Walsh Sr.

“He understands what people are going through,” Walsh said.

Lynch has been more aggressive in two back-to-back debates this week, criticizing Markey for his votes on homeland security as state residents recover from the Boston Marathon terrorist attack.

“He’s made some terrible votes,” Lynch said Thursday.

Lynch pointed out this week that Markey voted in 2002 against the creation of the Joint Interagency Homeland Security Task Force.

Zucker, a Markey campaign spokesman, called Lynch’s attacks “false and desperate,” and said Markey has pushed for better homeland security in the last decade, including improved cargo screening.

“Stephen Lynch votes like a Republican on pretty important value issues,” Zucker said. “We see now that he’s campaigning like one, too.”

Alex Bloom may be reached at abloom@enterprisenews.com or follow on Twitter @AlexB_ENT.

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